Pagina 578 di 1294

When Sonia came out on the canal bank, they were the only two

persons on the pavement. He observed her dreaminess and

preoccupation. On reaching the house where she lodged, Sonia

turned in at the gate; he followed her, seeming rather surprised.

In the courtyard she turned to the right corner. "Bah!" muttered

the unknown gentleman, and mounted the stairs behind her. Only

then Sonia noticed him. She reached the third storey, turned down

the passage, and rang at No. 9. On the door was inscribed in

chalk, "Kapernaumov, Tailor." "Bah!" the stranger repeated again,

wondering at the strange coincidence, and he rang next door, at

No. 8. The doors were two or three yards apart.

"You lodge at Kapernaumov's," he said, looking at Sonia and

laughing. "He altered a waistcoat for me yesterday. I am staying

close here at Madame Resslich's. How odd!" Sonia looked at him

attentively.

"We are neighbours," he went on gaily. "I only came to town the

day before yesterday. Good-bye for the present."